Ms. Hilda Catherine Shilliday

Hilda Catherine Shilliday (Pletsch), age 93, passed away in Campbell River on January 14, 2023, after a short illness and a long life well-lived. Hilda’s life was guided by her faith, her love of family and friends, her service to others, and a strong sense of humour and adventure! She is predeceased by her adoring husband of fifty years, Reverend Canon Errol Shilliday, her eldest son Bryn and his infant son Marshall, her parents Herb and Annie, and her 11 siblings. She is survived and will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Mary Catherine (Joedy), son Erin (Maura), grandchildren Andria, Brenna (Bradley), Hannah (Ellis), Georgia (Eric), Henry, Rebecca and Ryan, and great-grandchildren Tristan, Jonah, Jordyn, Shayla Bryn, Ezra and Freya. Hilda also has many close family members whom she remained connected to including her nieces, nephews, and their families, and her dear friends here and in Uganda.

Born in Culross Township, Ontario, Hilda was the 10th of her 12 siblings and grew up surrounded by her youngest four brothers. Her tom-boy start in life helps explain why she was always full of adventure! Her strong faith from childhood guided her life, and after graduating from Wingham High Hilda attended Stratford School of Nursing, graduating as valedictorian and making lifelong friendships with her classmates. After a few years nursing in Toronto and at a Red Cross Outpost in Beardmore, she received a scholarship to attend Western University to study Public Health. It was there she met the love of her life, Errol, who was attending the Seminary at Huron College. In 1954 their life full of love, faith, service, and adventure began and they moved from Kerwood, to St. Thomas, to Sarnia, then Calgary before finally settling in Victoria to finish their amazing careers and enjoy happy retirement years, peppered with some incredible trips across the globe.

In every place they lived, Hilda not only worked as a nurse but helped care for congregants whenever needed and often started new and innovative programs at work and in the parish. Hilda and Errol were an incredible team and often had a house full of family, friends and visitors. When Hilda “retired” from public health nursing in 1994, she was awarded the BC Nurses Association “Nurse of the Year” honour, as well as being recognized by the BC Council for the Family with the “Distinguished Service to Families” Award, both examples of her incredible contributions to her profession and the wellbeing of patients young and old.

During the busy years of raising family while building careers, somehow Hilda “did it all” with a genuine smile on her face! She worked and had rector’s-wife responsibilities, but always prepared three nutritious meals for her family and came home to lunch with them each day. She taxied kids to sports or other activities, while maintaining a beautiful home, and found time for tuck-ins with a back-tickle or listening to their story of the day. Her husband and children always knew that Hilda was there to support and connect no matter what was happening in her world.

In her retirement years, Hilda continued to nurse with the Capital Regional District for a few years, attended many lectures, museum and art installations, and always maintained a yearly membership at Butchart Gardens. She was active and spent many hours at the pool or walking with friends. She was honoured to volunteer at Saanich Peninsula Hospital in the palliative care program.

In 2007, Hilda first traveled to Kampala, Uganda, fulfilling her lifelong dream to nurse overseas, where she joined the medical team at the Mengo Hospital HIV Clinic to serve patients and improve outcomes. Over the next 10 years, she made numerous trips to Mengo Hospital and, with the generous help of many friends and parishioners, she was able to support patients, help build schools, and contribute to the successful education of many students and nurses. Her friendships and love of Uganda remained deep and her motto, “The World’s Children Belong to All of Us” was well-served for the remainder of her life.

Upon moving to Campbell River in 2011, Hilda made many friends at St. Peters Anglican Church, Grandmothers to Grandmothers, and Berwick By the Sea. She often said Campbell River has the friendliest and most generous people she had ever met. Hilda could be found volunteering, attending educational and social activities at Berwick, or learning at Elder College. She always had time to welcome a new Berwick resident or care for a friend who was suffering. Most important of all, was taking time to spend with her beloved children and grandchildren, who fondly remember the fun activities and adventures that she tirelessly enjoyed with them!

Hilda’s family are profoundly grateful to the staff and residents at Berwick, who made the last seven years of her life so joyful and comfortable. She often said it was the most wonderful place to be! She always enjoyed visits with her dear friends and family from near and far! Her Church Family at St. Peters, especially the ACW, were so caring and provided much enjoyment to her, as did the amazing Grandmother to Grandmothers whose work she greatly admired. Thank you to Dr. Penhall for his care, and especially to the paramedics and ER team at Campbell River Hospital for their kindness and care. Nurse Camille’s kindness, professional care, and support for Hilda and her family will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Hilda’s life will be held on February 17th at 1:00 pm at St. Peter's Anglican Church, 228 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River, with reception to follow at the Church Hall. The interment will happen later that weekend, on Sunday, February 19th at 12:15 pm at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 7921 St. Stephans Road, Saanichton. Family and friends can attend the Sunday service at St. Stephan's at 11:15 am prior if desired. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. For more information please call 250-703-6135.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, donations may be made to the Anglican Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund https://pwrdf.org/ or an award in Hilda’s name at the University of Victoria School of Nursing https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate/hilda-shilliday-nursing .